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Detroit EM Strips Scandalized Council President of Salary, Power

The City Council president had mysteriously disappeared from the public eye just before allegations surfaced about a potentially inappropriate relationship with a teenage high school student Pugh had been mentoring.

June 28, 2013

Emergency manager Kevyn Orr today stripped all powers from the Detroit City Council president as well as his $76,911 base pay. Orr spokesman Bill Nowling said that Charles Pugh may still bear the title of council president and can show up at meetings and even vote on issues at the table. Orr cannot remove him from office, but under Orr’s interpretation of the state’s emergency manager law, Nowling said, Pugh’s vote may no longer count. Orr’s order ending Pugh’s pay takes effect July 7.

Another day came and went with no word to city officials from the City Council president, whose mysterious disappearance from the public eye came just before allegations surfaced about a potentially inappropriate relationship with a teenage high school student Pugh had been mentoring. Pugh’s chief of staff said the lack of response from Pugh worries her.